Discover God's Character E-Devotionals

Bend to God's Will

“Obey God because you are His children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then” (1 Peter 1:14).

Bill Bright

If we are to behave with the character of Christ, we must trust and obey our loving heavenly Father.

A story is told of a loving father who was trying to save his daughter during a bombing raid in World War II. Fleeing a building that had just been hit and desperate for shelter, he spied a large hole from an earlier shell explosion. He leaped in, then lifted his arms to catch his child. The terrified girl cried out that she could not see him. He looked up and saw her silhouette illuminated by tracer lights and fire. The father called out to her, "I can see you. Jump!" When she heard the encouraging words of her father, she jumped into the safety of his arms.

Our wise and all-knowing God sees us everyday, and He knows how to protect us from dangers---both spiritual and physical. When we bend to His will and discipline, we are jumping into His invisible arms. We are demonstrating our love and are trusting in His wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding.

As we daily surrender our plans and desires to our loving Father, we reflect the character of Jesus. In obedience to His Father, Jesus sacrificed everything. He gave up His life and took upon Himself the horror and guilt of our sins. This choice to obey was not easy, as His battle in Gethsemane reveals. The Bible describes His sweat as "drops of blood" as He pleaded, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42, NIV).

Your View of God Really Matters ...

Like the little girl above, have you yet "jumped" into your Father's arms, with abandon and trust? If not, do so today, by faith. He will not let you fall.


Because God knows everything,
I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns.


Learn more about God’s character at Discover God, by Bright Media Foundation, an affiliate of Cru.

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Bright Media Foundation is an affiliate of Cru.

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